Fuel cock assembly



June 27, 1939. s. T. DowNEY 354,232

FUEL cook ASSEMBLY Filed June 2s, 19:58 2 sheets-sheet 1 June 27, 1939. G, T, DOWNEY 2,164,232

K FUEL COCK ASSEMBLY Filed June 28, 1958 2 Sheets-SheetZ 43 zal Patented `une 27, 1939 UNITED STATES FUEL COCK ASSEMBLY GeorgeT. Downey, Corry, Pa., assignor to Aero Supply Mfg. Co. Inc., Corry, Pa.

Application June as, 193s, serial No. 216,411

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a fuel cock assembly designed primarily for use in controlling the fuel supply for internal combustion motors employed on aeroplanes, but itis to be understood that the assembly, in accordance with this invention is for employment in any connection for which it may be found applicable.

The invention aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a fuel cock assembly common to a plurality of independent fuel sources.

The invention further aims to provide a fuel cock assembly common to a series of independent fuel sources, and capable of selectively establishing communication between the motors and one of said sources or for establishing communication simultaneously between two or more of -said sources and the motors.

The invention further aims to provide, a fuel cock assembly so constructed, as to overcome the objection present in assemblies having as elements thereof ported rotatable corked valve plugs.

The invention further aims to provide, a fuel cock assembly having normally closed fuel supply controlling elements, each for an independent fuel source, means releasably engaging with said elements for shifting one or more of them to and `for positively `holding sam'eiin openA position for fuel supply, and with said elements so constructed and arranged to provide for the automatic closing thereof when released from said means.

The invention further aims to provide a fuel cock assembly having normally closed fuel supply controlling elements, each for an independent fuel source, and each being so constructed as to positively prevent leakage when closed. The invention further aims to provide, afuel cock assembly including normally closed fuel supply controlling elements possessing more efficiency and durability than the corked seated I supply controlling elements now generally employed.

'I'he invention further aims to provide, a fuel cock assembly for a series of independent fuel sources and including fuel supply controlling elements and rotatable shifting means for the latter, and with said elements and means so constructed and arranged to provide at all times for the ready shifting of the elements through said means.

The invention further aims to provide a fuel cock assembly common to a series of independent fuel sources, and with each of the sources being controlled by an automatically seating puppet valve. The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a fuel cock assembly which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, quickly installed with respect to a series of independent fuel sources, thoroughly efficient in its use, conveniently and expeditiously controlled,

readily assembled and comparatively inexpensive understood that changes, variations and modications may beresorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan of a fuel cock assembly in accordance with this invention,`

Figure 2 is a sectional plai of the structure shown in Figure l,

Figure 3 is a section on line 33, Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a sectional detail illustrating the check plate,

'Figure 5 is `a. sectional detail illustrating the combined holder, guide and stop element,

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the assembly, and

Figure 7 is a section plan of a modified form.

With reference to Figures l to 6 of the drawings, the assembly includes a housing 8 formed of a cylindrical body part 9 permanently closed at its lower end by an integral bottom wall I0 and having its upper end closed by a removable top lwall II. The bottom wall I0 consists of an upper portion I2, an intermediate portion I3 and a lower portion I4 integrally connected together. The portion I 2 is of annular form, is integral with the lower end of body part 9 and forms a downward continuation of fuel receiving chamber I5 provided by the said body part. The portion Il extends laterally in opposite `directions with respect to the portions I2, I4 and 1t is formed with spaced openings I6 for the passage of holdfast means for anchoring the assembly at the desired point, The portion I3 centrally thereof is provided with a fuel outlet Il for the chamber I5 and which is of a diameter less than the inner diameter of the portion I2. The portion I4 is in the form of a sleeve I8 for connection vto a fuel conducting pipe I9 leading to the motors, not shown with which the assembly is to be associated with.

The top wall II includes a lower' portion 2l in the form of an annulus, an annular intermediate portion 2| of angle-shape cross section, and a cylindrical upper portion 22 having its upper end formed with an inwardly extending 'annular flange 23. The portions of the wall I8 are integrally connected together. The portion 28 is of greater diameter than portion 2| and the latter is of greater diameter than portion 22. The portion 2| is extended upwardly with respect to portion 28. The portion 22 is extended upwardly with respect to the portion 2|. The axes of the said portions 20, 2 I, 22 align. The'lower portion 28 of wall is of greater diameter than the upper end of body part 9.

The assembly shown by Figures 1 to 6 is for use in connection with and is common to a plurality of independent fuel. sources. The member of such sources may be as desired. As shown by way of example, the said assembly is so constructed as to be common to four independent sources of fuel, not shown. The assembly will be set up to include an independent valve of the poppet type for controlling the intake of fuel to the chamber I5 from each source. To provide for the assemblyto be common to independent sources of fuel, it will include fuel supply line couplers corresponding in number to the number of fuel sources to b e controlled, and with each coupler to be secured to and projecting from a tubular extension integral with the body part 9 of the housing 8. In the embodiment of the invention, as shown by Figures l to 6 four spaced radially disposed tubular extensions are shown and there is associated with each extension a valve controlled fuel inletor intake for chamber I5. The extension, inlets and valves will be more specifically referred to.

The body part 9 is formed'with the spaced fuel inlets 23, 24, 25, 2 8, as well as having its outer periphery provided with a set of annular flanges 21, each providing an outward continuation of the wall of a fuel inlet. Integral with the outer periphery of the body part are the tubular extensions referred to and which are indicated at 28, 29, 30, 3|. The inner end of each extension encompasses in spaced relation a flange 21, to form in connection with the latter an annular groove 32. Each of said flanges provides a'valve seat for a poppet valve 33. The inner end of one side 'f' of the extension 28 merges into the inner end of one side of the extension 29. The inner end of the other side of the extension 29 merges into the inner end of one side of the extension 3|), and the inner end of the other side of the extension 8l merges into the inner end of one side of 'the extension 3|. The outer portion of the inner face of each of said extensions is formed with threads 34.

The valves l33 are slidably mounted and of like construction. Each valve 33 consists of a stem 35,' an annular flat ilange 38 adjacent the outer end of stem 35 and a disc-like head formed of an outer section 31 and an inner section 38 constituting a seating facing formed of any suitable material possessing a characteristic to provide a fuel tight seating when the valve is closed. '111e stem 35 and head section 31 are of metallic material, preferably of a like metallic material, but of a m'aterlal different from that of, section 38.

` 76 'Ihe sections of the valve head are of greater diameter than either of the flanges 21. The `section 31 has an axially arranged flared opening 89. The section 88 is formed with an opening 48 of uniform diameter, but of a diameter correspond.- ing to the diameter of opening 39 at the lower end of the latter. The flangel 35 Seats aromas the inner face or head section 38. The stem 35 passes through opening 40 and is upset, as at 48* to snugly engage the wall of opening 39 whereby the stem and head are rigidly clamped together. The outer face of head section 31 is formed `concentrically thereof and adjacent to its perimeter with an outwardly directed annular flange 4l.

The valves 33 have associated therewith spring controlling means therefor of like form consisting of a flange collar 42 and a coiled spring 43 having one end encompassing the collar 42 and abutting the ange 44 of the latter. The other end of spring 43 abuts valve head section 31 and encompassing the ange 4| on such section. The

spring controlling means for the Valves are arranged in the tubular extension and associate with the inner ends of the fuel supply line couplers indicated at 45, 46, 41, 48. The couplers are of like form and each consists of a sleeve 49 provided at its outer end with an annular laterally extending flange 50. The inner diameter of the sleeve 49 gradually increases from its inner end to its outer end. The sleeve 49 from the flange 50 tothe inner end thereof is of uniform outer diameter. The sleeves 49 are threaded on their outer peripheries as at 5| and are of less length than the tubular extensions. The couplers are positioned in the tubular extensions and have their flanges 50 oppose the outer end surfaces of the tubular extensions, and interposed between such flanges and the said extensions are sealing gaskets 52. The couplers have threaded engagement with the extensions and their inner ends 53 constitute stops for the flanged collars 42.

The assembly as shown by Figures 1 to 8 includes a combined holder, guide and stop element 54 which functions to prevent the valves 21 from shifting laterally with respect to their seats, for guiding the stems of the valves and for 'releasably holding a valve opening device in its active posii tion. The saiddevice is common to and for selective action on the valves. The element 54 consists of a vertically disposed annular body portion 55 formed of a lower inner part 55 provided with spaced guide openings 51 for the valve stems 35, in intermediate part 58 of an outer diameter less than the part 56 and an upper part 59 formed at its top with a laterally disposed annular flange 80. The element 54 is inserted into chamber i5 from the open top of body part 8. The lower end of element 54 4is spaced upwardly from the lower end of chamber i5. The element 54 when inserted into chamber |5 has its flange seat in a rabbet 8| formed in the upper end of body part 9, its upper` part 59 bearing against that portion of the wall of chamber I5 bordering the rabbet 6| and its parts 58, 58 opposing in spaced relation the inlets 26. The part 58 of element 54 does not extend completely across the inlets v. 2.6. The openings 51 inl part 58 align with thev axes of the inlets 28. The

lflange 88 on part 59 of element 54 is formed with a series of spaced keepers 82 for selective coaction with a latching member 63 carried by anadjustable rotatable springl controlled check plate 84 for latching the'latter in itsadjusted position. The plate 84 is in the form-of an axially apertured circular disc which hasfits outer marginal portion f its lower; face opposing the flange 60. The keepers 82 are in the form of spaced radially disposed V-shaped grooves in the upper face of the flange 88.

latching member 83 is provided by a depressed portion 85 formed in the upper face of the outer marginal part of the plate 64. 'I'he portion 55 corresponds in cross section contour to the shape of each' of the keepers. The latching member is disposed on a diametric center and is of less lengththan the diameter of the plate 64. The member 63 at its outer end is flush with the outer edge of the plate 64.

The device for controlling the opening of the valves 21 to selectively establish communication between the chamber I and a fuel source is generally indicated at 86 and it not only includes the check plate 64, but further includes a vertically disposed rotatable shaft 61 formed lengthwise thereof with a socket 68 opening at its lower end. The shaft 61 extends through the wall II into the upper portion of chamber I5. The flange 23 of top wall forming part 22 provides a bearing.

for shaft 61 intermediate the ends of the latter,

and such shaft intermediate its end is formed with an annular, shoulder 69 on its outer periphery. Abutting shoulder 69 and extending upwardly therefrom is a combined shaft stop and bearing retainer 10. The latter is of angle-shape in cross section, is offset relative'to shaft 61 and opposes in close spaced relation the lower face of flange 23. The retainer 18 coacts with the flange 23 for arresting the upward shift of shaft 61. Surrounding the shaft 61 is a bearing means 1I, which is confined in position relative to shaft 61, by the coaetion of retainer and flange 23. The shaft 61, lengthwise of its outer periphery is formed with a groove 12 which extends from the shoulder to the lower end of the shaft. The wall ofthe axial opening 13 of the plate 66 is formed with a lug 14 positioned in the groove 12 `whereby plate 66 is slidable relatively to shaft 61, but is bodily movable with the latter. Encompassing the shaft 61 and interposed between retainer 10 and plate 64 is a coiled spring 15 normally tending to maintain the latching member 63 against the upper face of flange 68. 'Ihe shaft 61 projects upwardly from the flange 23 on the part 22 of wall II and has anchored on its projecting portion, by the' holdfast means.16 a sleeve 'l1 terminating at its upper end into a yoke 18 extended from shaft 61 and adapted to receive any suitable instrument to provide for the rotation of the shaft. The lower end of sleeve 11 is formed,

with a lateral flange 19 which abts the flange 23. The flanges 19, 23 coact to prevent the lowering of shaft 61.

The device 56 also includes a rotatable cam structure 88, for selectively opening a valve 21, and for releasably holding the valve in open position. The structure 88 is bodily carried with the shaft 61. The structure 80 comprises a circular disc 8| of a diameter to have its edge snugly engage the inner face of the portion 58 of body.

part 55 of element 54. The disc 8| is interposed between the portions 56, 59 of the body part 55 of element 54. "The lower face of disc 8| has formed integral therewith a nose 82 disposed on `a. diametric center of the disc 8| and interposed between, as well as being spaced from the axis and edge of the disc 8l. The nose 82 is encompassed by and spaced from` the part 56 of element 54. The nose 82 gradually decreases in thickness from its-inner to its outer end and has its outer end surface beveled, as at 83 for selectively coacting with the rounded inner ends '84 of the valve stems 35.' Extending upwardly from the 'upper face of disc 8|, axially of the latter is an arm 8 4, which extends into the socket 68 and is anchored to the shaft 61 by the holdfast means 85. The arm 84 is to extend into socket 68 to an extent to have the upper face of disc II to abut the lower end of shaft 61.

When selectively opening the valves 21, aswell as releasing these latter from open position, the

device 56 moves in an anti-clockwise direction.`

source has been cut in to chamber I5. The latch.

ing member will be releasably retained in the keeper by the spring and the nose 82 held against the valve stem by the spring 43. The foregoing operation is intermittently carried out until all of the fluid sources have been successively cut in to chamber I5.

With respect to the modified form of fuel cock assembly 86 shown in Figure 7, it is of the same construction as the form illustrated Vby Figures 1 to 6, with the exception that it is provided with a cam structure 81 for simultaneously opening a pair of fuel sources to the fuel receiving chamber I5. The nose 88 of the cam structure 81 is of a different form with respect to the nose 82 of cam structure 88. The nose" 88 is substantially of quadrant shape and of a width to simultaneously act on a pair of valve stems 89 to open a pair of valves 90 and to simultaneously hold the pair of valves 98 in open position. Otherwise than that as stated the modified form 86 will be of the same constructionas that of the other form illustrated.

What I claim is: y

. 1. In afuel cock assembly, a housing forming a fuel receiving 'chamber having a plurality of spaced fuel intakes, each for a fuel source, said housing'having a permanently open outlet for said chamber and spaced annular flanges forming outward continuations of the wallsof said inlets, said flanges constituting valve seats, spaced poppet valves for coaction with said seats for closing the inlets, each valve including a head coacting with a flange and a stem extending inwardly through an inlet, tubular extensions on said housing and encompassing said valves, a spring controlling means for each valve including a flanged collar and a coiled spring extending inwardly from the collar and seating against a valve head, each of said heads being formed with an annular flange encompassed by the inner end of the spring, combined fuel supply line couplers retaining means for said spring controlling means extending into and connected to said extensions and having 4their innerends abutting said collars, an annular stationary combined holder, guide and stop element, arranged in said chamber, spaced from said outlet and having spaced guide openings for the passage of the valve "stems thereinto, a. rotatable structure arranged within said element for engaging with said valve stems to open the valves, said element and said structure having coacting parts for latching said structure selectively during the rotation of the latter, said housing and element 2. In a fuel cock assembly, a housing forming a fuel receiving chamber having an end wall, a side wall and open at its other end, said side wall being formed with a plurality of spaced fuel inlets and valve seats on its outer surface bordering said inlets, said end wall being formed with a permanently open fuel outlet, spaced shiftable spring controlled poppet valves having their heads disposed exteriorly of said inlets and normally engaging said seats, said valves having their stems extending inwardly through said inlets into said chamber, said housing being formed with tubular extensions encompassing said valves, said seats and the valve springs in spaced relation, tubular combined fuel supply line couplers and valve spring retaining means extending into, secured to and of less length than said extensions, the inner ends of said means bearing on the valve springs, an annular stationary combined holder, guide and stop element extending into said chamber from the open end of the latter, spaced from said outlet and inlets, formed with a flange at its outer end seated in the body of the housing and provided with spaced guide openings for the passage of said stems there into, a hollow inner end and apertured outer end closure for theopen end of said chamber, a rotatable structure extending through said closure into said element and having a part operating in said element for shifting the stems to open the valves, and said ange and structure having coacting parts for latching said structure selectively on the rotation of the latter.

3. In a fuel cock assembly, a housing forming a fuel receiving chamber having an end wall, a side wall and openl at its other end, said side wall being formed with a plurality of spaced fuel inlets and valve seats on its outer surface bordering said inlets, said end wall being formed with a permanently open fuel outlet. spaced shiftable spring-controlled puppet valves having their heads disposed exteriorly of said inlets and normally engaging said seats, said valves having their stems extending inwardly through said iulets into said chamber, said housing being formed with tubular extensions encompassing said valves, said seats and the valve springs in spaced relation, tubular combined fuel supply line couplers and valve spring retaining means extending into, secured to and of less length than said extensions, the inner ends of said means bearing on the valve springs, an annular stationary combined holder, guide and stop element extending into said chamber from the open end of the latter, spaced from said outlet and inlets, formed with a flange at its outer end seated in the body of the housing and provided with spaced guide openings for the passage of said stems thereinto, a hollow inner end and apertured outer end closure for the open end of said chamber, a rotatable structure extending through said closure into said element and having a part operating in said element for shifting the stems to open the valves, and said ange and structure having coacting parts for latching said structure selectively on the rotation of the latter, said closure being provided therein with a confined bearing for said structure, and the coacting part of said structure being arranged within the closure forwardly of said bearing.

f GEORGE T. DOWNEY. 

